Jun 6, 2019

Aaron Rodgers launches $50 million VC fund

Kendall Baker, author of Sports

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Aaron Rodgers and his fellow co-founders at Rx3 Ventures just announced a $50 million fund that will focus on consumer brands.

Details: Rx3 has already invested in several companies, including CorePower Yoga (studio chain), Hims (men's wellness) and VICIS (football helmets).

The big picture: The age of the celebrity VC is upon us, so it should come as no surprise that Rodgers is the latest in a long line of athletes who have ventured into the world of investing as of late. A few prime examples:

  • Kobe Bryant launched a $100 million fund called Bryant Stibel in 2016. Investments include The Players' Tribune (sports media) and LegalZoom (legal services).
  • Serena Williams has quietly invested in 34 startups over the past five years and, in April, formally unveiled Serena Ventures. Investments include The Wing (women's club) and Coinbase (bitcoin exchange).
  • The Warriors (Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Andre Iguodala and others), thanks in part to their proximity to Silicon Valley, have emerged as fixtures in VC. Durant's portfolio includes Postmates (food delivery) and Lime (scooter/bike rental).

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Updated 22 mins ago - Politics & Policy

George Floyd updates

Protesters in Washington, D.C. on June 6. Photo: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Tens of thousands of demonstrators are rallying in cities across the U.S. and around the world to protest the killing of George Floyd. Huge crowds have assembled in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Chicago for full-day events.

Why it matters: Twelve days of nationwide protest in the U.S. has built pressure for states to make changes on what kind of force law enforcement can use on civilians and prompted officials to review police conduct. A memorial service was held for Floyd in Raeford, North Carolina, near where he was born. Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all flags to fly at half-staff to honor him until sunset.

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Updated 3 hours ago - World

In photos: People around the world rally against racism

Despite a ban on large gatherings implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic, protesters rally against racism in front of the American Embassy in Paris on June 6. Photo: Julien Mattia/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Tens of thousands of people have continued to rally in cities across the world against racism and show their support this week for U.S. demonstrators protesting the death in police custody of George Floyd.

Why it matters: The tense situation in the U.S. has brought the discussion of racism and discrimination onto the global stage at a time when most of the world is consumed by the novel coronavirus.

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Axios
Updated 4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 7:30 p.m. ET: 6,852,810 — Total deaths: 398,211 — Total recoveries — 3,071,142 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 7:30 p.m. ET: 1,917,080 — Total deaths: 109,702 — Total recoveries: 500,849 — Total tested: 19,778,873 — Map.
  3. Public health: Why the pandemic is hitting minorities harder — Coronavirus curve rises in Florida — How racism threatens the response to the pandemic — Some people are drinking and inhaling cleaning products in attempt to fight the virus.
  4. Tech: The pandemic is accelerating next-generation disease diagnostics — Robotics looks to copy software-as-a-service model.
  5. Business: Budgets busted by coronavirus make it harder for cities to address inequality — Sports, film production in California to resume June 12 after 3-month hiatus.
  6. Education: Students and teachers flunked remote learning.
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